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Funding Available To Help Coastal Communities Prepare For Climate Change

Application Deadline March 24

Annapolis, Md. (February 15, 2011) — Maryland is now offering grants
to help local communities prepare for responding and adapting to the anticipated
impacts of climate change. Launched by Governor Martin O’Malley in April 2009,
Maryland’s CoastSmart Communities Initiative (CCI) has provided over a
half-million dollars to help local communities brace for the effects of
accelerated sea level rise, shoreline erosion, increased storm frequency and
intensity, and changes in rainfall and related flooding.

“Without significant preparation and planning, communities foresee considerable
losses to public infrastructure, water dependent industries and livelihoods,”
said Governor O’Malley. “The most cost-effective approach to dealing with the
anticipated impacts of climate change is to prepare for these consequences
before they occur.”

CCI provides financial and technical assistance to local governments to promote
the incorporation of natural resource and/or coastal management practices into
local planning and permitting activities. Through the planning process, program
partners and communities will identify best management practices, education
opportunities of both municipal officials and the public, potential code and
ordinance changes, and any relevant restoration and protection opportunities.

In partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
the State will provide grants from $10,000 to $75,000 to coastal communities to
support the planning and preparation needed to adapt to climate related impacts
in the short and long term. In addition to competitive grants, the State will
offer on-the-ground expertise, planning guidance, training and tools to support
local planning efforts. Applications are being accepted through March 24.

“Land planning decisions in coastal areas along the Chesapeake Bay shoreline are
made primarily by local municipalities. Without support from the Chesapeake and
Coastal Program, Queenstown and many other small municipalities would not have
the necessary tools to plan for potential storm events, shoreline changes, and
protecting our water resources,” said Kathy Boomer, the project manager for
Queenstown’s CCI project and member of the Queenstown Planning Commission.

Due to its geography and geology, the Chesapeake Bay region is ranked the third
most vulnerable to sea level rise, behind Louisiana and Southern Florida.
Maryland’s low-lying coastal communities, public infrastructure and vital
habitats are particularly at risk to the impacts to climate change, especially
with respect to accelerated sea level rise, shoreline erosion and increased
storm frequency and intensity. With the adoption of the Climate Action Plan in
2008, the State committed to provide sea level rise planning guidance to advise
adaptation and response planning at the local level.

The Maryland Commission on Climate Chance recently released its Phase II
Strategy for Reducing Maryland’s Vulnerability to Climate Change. For more
information about the Commission’s efforts, visit
http://www.green.maryland.gov/climate.html.

Recent CoastSmart Communities projects have included: the development of a
strategic plan targeting sea level rise and climate change in Anne Arundel
County; a sea level rise adaptation and response plan for the City of Annapolis
that includes a vulnerability and impact assessment as well as outlines policy
response options; improvements to Caroline County’s floodplain and stormwater
management programs; an integrated community and watershed design project and
transportation element for the town of Queenstown; and improvements to
stormwater and coastal erosion management in several small Talbot County
villages.

To learn more about this opportunity as well as the services offered by the
State to help communities reduce their vulnerability to the impacts of climate
change, please visit the CoastSmart Communities Online Resource Center at
http://dnr.maryland.gov/CoastSmart/, or e-mail the Chesapeake & Coastal Program
staff at CoastSmart@dnr.state.md.us.

February 15, 2011

Contact: Josh Davidsburg
410-260-8002 office | 410-507-7526 cell

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state
agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to
citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million acres of public lands
and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and
wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A
national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic
and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead
agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number
one environmental priority. Learn more at
www.dnr.maryland.gov.